Sustainable Water Management and Engineering Hof University of Applied Sciences

All modules are taught in English.

Most impacts of climate change are water-related. In addition, a growing world population is still going on. These are two of most important reasons why the requirements for a sustainable and resilient water management are getting ever more complex. New challenges and qualification requirements arise for engineers who today have to be managers as well.

The Master’s programme in Sustainable Water Management and Engineering (MEng) is designed to meet these challenges, shows modern methods and solutions and to qualify a new generation of engineers. The programme focuses on imparting key competences in management and engineering, especially to handle the increasing of complexity and their impacts, flanked by sustainability and digitisation. Based on the latest research in these special topics, students train technical skill, systematic thinking and communication skills to improve their complexity competence. 

Teaching concept

The Master’s programme is based on a hands-on, interdisciplinary concept. Current topics like sustainability, water risk management, and water resource management are interconnected with classical technologies such as water treatment, sewage disposal, and water circulation. Above all, the three dimensions of sustainability are considered: the economic efficiency, social responsibility and ecological compatibility. In addition, digital solutions are analysed as a cross-sectional technology and the use of AI is trained both for application in technical solutions and as a tool for everyday engineering work (e.g. with LLM apps).

Theory and hands-on training are closely connected, e.g. in group projects at partner companies. Study excursions to pioneering water management facilities or to innovative technology companies as well as discussions with experts from research and industry form an important part of the Master’s programme. Beyond that, current research results from the university's own water institute will be presented and there will be the opportunity to complete projects and theses as part of the research.

Your benefits:

After graduation, you will be able to do the following:

• identify and analyse current and future challenges in water management
• analyse complex situations and develop adequate solutions
• implement and evaluate them in interdisciplinary teams

In addition, you benefit from the following:

• a unique Master's degree at the interface of technology and management
• a perfect interdisciplinary toolbox of knowledge and skills of engineering and business know-how
• development of your intercultural competence
• excellent career perspectives

Career perspectives:

After graduation, you will have excellent career opportunities for leading positions in the water sector, both in Germany and abroad, e.g.:

• management tasks in research and construction in the field of water management
• leading positions in industry, public authorities, and medium-sized companies
• development or research engineer for nature conservation and environmental protection
• planning and consulting work in specialised engineering offices
• activity as an expert and appraiser

1. Application period for the winter semester:

• for EU applicants: 1 May to 15 July
• for non-EU applicants: 15 April to 31 May

2. Application period for the summer semester:

• for EU applicants: 15 November to 15 January
• for non-EU applicants: 5 November to 30 November

If you have acquired your university entrance certificate abroad, it has to be assessed by uni-assist before you send it to Hof University. We advise you to send your documents to uni-assist at least four weeks before the application deadline at Hof University.

On the following sites, you will find more information on the general entry requirements and the specific entry requirements.

The first and second semester of this Master's programme contain 10 mandatory modules plus one elective (in total 60 ECTS):

Mandatory modules

• Sustainability Management
• Risk Management in the Water Sector
• Water and Society
• International Water Resources Management
• Advanced Water Treatment
• Waste Water Discharge and Sewer Network with Structures
• Water Quality and Water Cycle
• Smart Water
• R&D or Industrial Project
• New Technologies in the Water Sector

Electives*

• Advanced Project Case Studies 
• Agile, Traditional and Hybrid Methods in International Project Management
• Intercultural Communication
• International Human Resource Management
• Energy Efficiency in Water Management Systems
• German language A2 and German language B1

*  Examples for elective modules; this list is subject to change.

Master's thesis and internship

The third semester is dedicated to an internship in a company or at the university's Institute for Water and Energy Management and a practical Master's thesis (30 ECTS). The thesis should be written during the internship and should cover a current topic of the company. The topic selection should be discussed and decided in advance with the supervising professor.

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Our MEng students spend the third semester doing a practical internship in industry (e.g. manufacturer of equipment for waste water treatment plants) or in engineering offices (e.g. planning of remote controlled sewers or urban rainwater management). The Master's thesis is also written during the internship. Thus, you can immediately apply your knowledge and gain profound professional experience at the same time.

No tuition fees

Administrative fee of approx. 150 EUR per semester

The cost of living in the city of Hof is moderate compared to both other European countries and bigger cities in Germany. On average, living expenses for a student range between 800 and 1,000 EUR per month in total.

The following is an approximate cost calculation of expenditures per month:

• accommodation: 350 to 550 EUR
• mandatory health insurance: about 120 EUR
• food and personal expenditures: at least 350 EUR

For admission in this Master's programme, you need to fulfil the following admission criteria:

• First degree from a recognised university with at least 210 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) or an equivalent degree in engineering or natural sciences providing sufficient knowledge in environmental engineering, water technology and chemistry
• Sufficient knowledge in environmental engineering, water technology and chemistry means at least five credits (or their equivalent) were achieved in each of these areas

Applicants with less than 210 credits have to gain the missing credits. For this, there are three options:

• You have gained relevant practical experience after your Bachelor's degree (minimum six months). This can be recognised as the missing 30 credits.
• You can do an internship (at least six months) during the studies at Hof. In this case, please calculate a fourth (extra) semester. 
• For applicants who already did an internship during their Bachelor's course, we offer appropriate modules at Hof University that you can attend. In this case, please calculate a fourth (extra) semester.

Applicants must be proficient in English. This can be proven with one of the following options:

• TOEFL minimum 90 (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• IELTS 6.5 or above (International English Language Testing Systems)

In addition: Basic language skills in German, proven by official test score documents – minimum A1 level according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

1. Application period for the winter semester:

• for EU applicants: 1 May to 15 July
• for non-EU applicants: 15 April to 31 May

2. Application period for the summer semester:

• for EU applicants: 15 November to 15 January
• for non-EU applicants: 5 November to 30 November

If you have acquired your university entrance certificate abroad, it has to be assessed by uni-assist before you send it to Hof University. We advise you to send your documents to uni-assist at least four weeks before the application deadline at Hof University.

On the following sites, you will find more information on the general entry requirements and the specific entry requirements.

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The Housing Office supports international students in finding appropriate accommodation.

Rent for a single student room is approx. 350 to 550 EUR. Rent for a private one-room apartment for one tenant or for a couple is more than 550 EUR. We also have a limited number of double rooms for friends that cost about 250 to 320 EUR per person. Beside the rent, there are additional costs for water, energy, broadcast fee, and Internet.

For a full overview of the practical issues related to living in Hof and our support services for international students, please have a look at the website of our Welcome Service and Housing Office.

The Career Service team at Hof University offers you a wide range of career preparation and orientation services, including workshops, company excursions, and job fairs. We will prepare you for the German labour market by providing you with specific information, counselling, and qualifications. Thus, you will be able to start your individual career as an intern and as a graduate.

We know that adjusting to your new life in Germany is an adventure that is both exciting and challenging. There is no need to be scared – we are here to help you!

At Hof University, we are proud of our warm welcome culture and offer numerous services for our international students. Our team will assist you in all aspects of your stay in Hof. We will help you find the right academic programme and language courses and support you in organising all formalities such as visas, residency, insurance, and banking.

Prior to the start of each semester, we organise an orientation period for our new international students. With the expert assistance from our motivated team, you will smoothly settle into your new personal and academic environment. Additionally, our International Student Network, a group of motivated students, will help you feel at home by organising social activities.

Studying at Hof University – your benefits at a glance

• first-class, practice-oriented education focused on employability
• friendly and open-minded study environment, especially for international students
• extensive personal support for international students from the Welcome Service, International Office, and Career Service
• assistance in finding accommodation in Hof
• orientation week before the start of the studies
• career-building activities, such as intercultural trainings, field trips, and company visits

About Hof University

Founded in 1994, Hof University offers a very attractive study environment with its modern architecture and its state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories. You will receive a first-class, hands-on education here. As a practice-oriented university of applied sciences with integrated internships in all programmes, the employability of our graduates is the main focus of our teaching.

Our ranking in the renowned StudyCheck Internet portal reflects this: in both 2023 and 2024, Hof University was named the most popular university in Germany and continues to receive top marks for its teaching.

We offer more than 40 modern Bachelor's and Master's programmes in business, computer science, and engineering as well as in interdisciplinary and innovative sciences. Students with at least one year of professional experience find exciting further education opportunities completely in the English language at Hof University Graduate School.

Strong practice orientation

All professors have a strong academic background as well as practical experience in industry. Teaching is based on innovative methods aimed at imparting application-oriented knowledge (e.g. projects with industry, site visits, involvement of company representatives). As a result, our graduates are ideally prepared for national and international labour markets.

Intensive personal support

We are known for our friendly study atmosphere. An excellent student-to-lecturer ratio allows for frequent and personal contact between students and professors and an active exchange of ideas. Students receive intensive personal support during their studies and benefit from numerous services, such as orientation sessions, social integration events, and housing support.

The outlook of the university is extremely international, with more than 130 partner universities all over the world. More than 40 percent of students come from abroad, creating a truly multinational atmosphere.

Applied research

The university's six research institutes focus on information systems, biopolymers, materials science, sustainable water systems, hydrogen and energy management, and organisational research. The guiding principles of our research are practice-orientation, internationalisation, and resource efficiency (focusing on indoor climate systems / water).

Students who are interested in starting a business can find advice and support at Einstein1, the digital business incubator on campus of Hof University.

Hof is a medium-sized town located at the top of Bavaria and in the heart of Europe, right in the middle of Berlin, Munich, and Prague. Hof has a population of about 50,000 and is an appealing and safe university town with plenty of leisure activities. To relax and unwind, there are numerous bars, cinemas, an orchestra, a theatre, a landscaped park called Theresienstein, and a beautiful lake – the Untreusee. Hof is also known for the International Hof Film Festival, which is one of the most important German film festivals.

The region around Hof has the second-highest industrial density in all of Europe, mainly specialising in manufacturing machinery and plastic (automobile) parts. The companies are mostly small and medium-sized businesses, the so-called hidden champions, and they provide ample opportunities for internships and entry jobs.

The city of Hof is surrounded by beautiful nature. It is located between the low mountain regions of the Fichtelgebirge and the Franconian Forest on the banks of the Saale River. You will find excellent possibilities for all outdoor sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, climbing, and skiing.